Central Valley’s and Ceres High’s baseball teams played in Santa Ana and Modesto, respectively, during spring break.

The Hawks compiled a 1-3 record at the April 6-8 Elks Tournament in Southern California.

“We played well in three of the four games,” head coach Brad Bussard said. “It was nice seeing better competition. It will get us prepared for our playoff run.”

Central Valley closed out the tournament with a 7-2 loss to Paraclete (Lancaster) on April 8.

The Hawks dropped to 13-7 on the season.

The Spirits improved to 15-4.

Ahead 2-0, Central Valley allowed three runs in the sixth inning and four in the seventh.

“We were winning going into the sixth inning,” Bussard said. “They hit a three-run home run to take the lead.”

The Hawks managed to collect just six hits while struggling on offense.

Mason Whitworth batted 2-for-4 with one RBI.

Adrian Delahoya batted 1-for-2 with one RBI.

Caden Mendonca batted 1-for-2 with one run.

Central Valley lost 2-1 to Beckman (Irvine) on April 7.

“Beckman has a really talented team,” Bussard said. “We faced their ace pitcher, who’s a Division-I commit. We had trouble stringing together hits.”

The Hawks collected just one hit and struck out nine times versus the Patriots (12-5-1).

Fernando Dominguez singled.

Isaias Valdovinos plated one run.

Whitworth scored once.

Central Valley pitcher Tyson Hunt gave up no earned runs and seven hits with three strikeouts and two walks in six innings.

Central Valley topped former Central California Conference-rival El Capitan (Merced) 11-4 on April 7.

“Our kids really wanted that game,” Bussard said. “We know a lot of their players. Two years ago, we were in their league.”

“El Capitan is on track to win their conference,” he added. “They’re currently in the driver’s seat.”

The Hawks batted .310 as a team against the Gauchos (12-6).

Central Valley accumulated nine hits.

Whitworth batted 3-for-5 with one RBI and two runs.

Valdovinos batted 2-for-2 with two RBIs and one run.

Carter Hernandez batted 1-for-4 with two RBIs.

Hawk pitcher Noah Maldonado gave up two earned runs and five hits with four strikeouts and four walks in five innings.

Central Valley dropped its tournament opener, 13-5, to Northview (Covina) on April 6.

The Vikings (9-11) ended the Hawks’ 10-game winning streak.

“We just didn’t do a good job competing,” Bussard said.

Central Valley totaled seven hits but stranded 23 runners on base.

Valdovinos batted 1-for-3 with one RBI and two runs.

Mendonca batted 1-for-4 with two RBIs and one run.

Hernandez batted 1-for-4 with one double, one RBI and one run.

“All four of the teams we faced will be in the playoffs,” Bussard said. “We had MLB scouts at a couple of our games. It was a great experience for our kids.”

Central Valley coaches and players attended a Major League Baseball game leading up to the Santa Ana Tournament on Easter Sunday.

The host Los Angeles Angels edged the Seattle Mariners 8-7 in 11 innings on April 5.

“We wanted to reward our kids for their hard work,” Bussard said. “They got to see another MLB ballpark. They had a lot of fun.”

Ceres High collected two wins, one loss and one tie at the Dick Windemuth Easter Tournament, staged April 6-9 at Modesto’s John Thurman Field.

The Bulldogs moved to 11-7-1 on the year after battling to a 7-7 tie against the Beyer Patriots on April 9.

Ceres High collected 10 hits.

Junior Sombrerero batted 1-for-2 with two runs.

Isaac Moreno batted 0-for-3 with two runs.

Anthony Trevino batted 3-for-4 with one RBI.

Bulldog Mario Vargas pitched a complete game.

He had three strikeouts in seven innings.

Ceres High dominated Grace Davis 13-2 on April 8.

Ashton Urena totaled nine strikeouts and just one walk in five innings at pitcher.

He allowed no earned runs and two hits.

Urena also helped his own cause by batting 2-for-4 with one double, four RBIs and two runs.

Sombrerero batted 2-for-2 with one double, three RBIs and two runs.

Trevino batted 3-for-4 with one triple, one double, two RBIs and one run.

Ceres High lost 12-4 to Ripon Christian on April 7.

The Bulldogs mustered four runs on three hits and four walks.

Isaiah Reyes batted 1-for-3 with two RBIs.

Steven Burciaga batted 1-for-2 with one RBI.

Sombrerero and Gabe Malagon both scored once.

Ceres High led from start to finish in defeating Denair 8-4 on April 6.

Bulldog pitcher Allan Valencia had 13 strikeouts and just one walk in 51/3 innings. He surrendered one earned run and three hits.

Ceres High had a host of contributors on offense.

Urena batted 3-for-3 with two home runs, three RBIs and three runs.

Trevino batted 3-for-4 with one triple, one double, two RBIs and one run.

Reyes batted 1-for-3 with two runs.